I’ve long said that chronic inflammation—not cholesterol—is the real danger when it comes to heart disease. And I’ve also chronicled lots of natural ways to minimize inflammation, including specific foods and beverages that can help combat this potential killer.
Now a new 2016 study published in the British Journal of Nutrition confirms that certain foods that contain polyphenols, notably green tea, protect against age-related inflammation and chronic diseases. Researchers at the University of Liverpool’s Institute of Ageing and Chronic Disease examined the different potencies of various polyphenols and concluded that those found in onions, turmeric, red grapes, acai berries, and green tea can help reduce the release of pro-inflammatory mediators in people at risk of chronic inflammation.
More Research on the Benefits of Green Tea
In an earlier coronary arteriography study of nearly 400 Japanese men, those who loved their traditional green tea enough to drink at least a cup every day had a risk of heart attack significantly lower than men who were downing other beverages.
These researchers looked at the benefits of green tea, black tea, cocoa, coffee, and red wine consumption, and the heart. While investigators were hard-pressed to find any relationship between identifiable coronary artery disease and the dietary intake of any of these beverages, there was definitely a statistical association between the benefits of green tea and heart attack; more of the former meant less of the latter.
The important benefit of drinking green tea is its natural COX-inhibiting effect, which translates to an anti-inflammatory effect.
Other natural COX-2 inhibitors that you can easily add to your diet include healthy spices like ginger, curcumin, oregano, onion, and garlic. These remarkable spices make for good overall cardiovascular nutrition.
